Sports Psychology: Attention, Concentration, and Confidence Strategies

Selective Attention

Focusing on relevant environmental cues. Enables players to block out irrelevant cues. E.g. spectators and other noise.

Maintaining Attention Focus

Keeping concentration over time; not allowing concentration lapses to occur.

Awareness of the Situation

Sizing up the game situation, opponents & other environmental factors. E.g. elite athletes able to do the right under pressure.

Concentration - Width

Based on the amount of information processed, classified as Narrow or Broad.

Narrow Concentration

Requires concentration on one or small number of stimuli. E.g. batter focuses on the spin of the ball as it comes towards them.

Broad Concentration

Depicts a gradual change of the amount of info processed, including peripheral cues. E.g. soccer player has to take into account position of GK, opposition, team mate.

Concentration - Direction

Classified as Internal or External based on the focus of attention.

External Concentration

Outward projection of concentration on an environmental stimulus. E.g. Batter in cricket, not only focused on the bowler, but also the crowd and moving fielders.

Internal Concentration

Attention directed inwardly toward the performer's own psychological state. E.g. Mental rehearsal, tactical play, decision making, getting aggressive.

Narrow - Internal Attention

Focus on body and every detail about it. E.g. Heartbeat, tension, taking a breath. E.g. Archery, Pistol shooting.

Narrow - External Attention

Focus on one object and know everything about it. E.g. Golf swing & a batter focus only on the ball, knowing exactly where it is, what it looks like, & how big it is.

Broad - Internal Attention

Involves analyzing the situation, planning to get the desired result, and putting the plan into action. E.g. Soccer GK must look at all possible options, then commit to the best one.

Broad - External Attention

The athlete must look at all dimensions of the field and see as many objects through their peripheral vision as a whole unit rather than individual objects. E.g. A footballer trying to take an opposed mark.

Future-oriented Thinking

Thinking ahead about what you are going to do and what might happen.

Negative Thoughts

Thoughts like 'What if I get injured or fail?' or 'The last time I did this I got injured' can drop concentration and affect performance.

Choking

Occurs when athlete senses a build up of pressure, or when a lot is riding on the outcome.

Effects of Choking

Causes concentration to falter, increases pressure, results in focus shifting to internal and narrow, decreases ability to shift attention, impairs timing, coordination, fatigue, muscle tension, self-talk, decreased selective attention, poor judgment, & decision making.

Simulation Training

Training to practice real game scenarios to improve concentration.

Shutting Out Irrelevant Cues

Practicing to sharpen selective attention, e.g., parking thoughts.

Cue Words

Words used to enhance focus, such as instructional ('follow thru', 'move your feet') and motivational ('keep chasing', 'don't worry').

Overlearning Skills

Results in athletes reaching the autonomous stage, allowing concentration on other aspects such as psychological skills.

Routines

Bring structure to performance processes and emotional states while ensuring attention is focused on present, task-related cues.

Confidence

Defined as the sureness of feeling that you are equal to the task at hand.

Sources of Confidence

Comes from knowing what to do, how to do it, when to do it, having the resources and ability to do it, and wanting to do it.

Loss of Confidence

Occurs due to focusing on irrelevant cues, events outside of control, outcome rather than process, being overly critical, and focusing on negatives.

Self-efficacy

The strength of an individual's belief that he or she can successfully perform a given activity; synonymous with self-confidence.

Self Confidence Model - Performance Accomplishments

You take confidence from perfecting skills in training or past performances.

Self Confidence Model - Involvement with Success of Others

If your teammates are successful and believe you are similar in ability, your confidence grows.

Self Confidence Model - Verbal Persuasion

Changing the way you perceive a situation, e.g., a coach telling an athlete that the challenge ahead is within their capability.

Self Confidence Model - Imagery Experiences

Athletes create multi-sensory images of successful performance in their mind.

Self Confidence Model - Physiological States

Reducing physiological changes that heighten anxiety and increase fatigue due to muscle tension; applying stress management techniques.

Self Confidence Model - Emotional States

Relates to how you control emotions brought about by the importance of a situation.

Building Confidence

Can be achieved by working hard at training, practicing good self-management, rewarding ourselves when successful, recording our successes, recreating successful past performances in our minds, positive self-talk, exploiting opponents' weaknesses, and listening to inspirational music.

Myth about Confidence

You either have it or you don't.

Truth about Confidence

Every individual has varying degrees of confidence; constructive feedback and unsuccessful performances can motivate some athletes to achieve their goals and raise their confidence.